English
French
Spanish
Italian
As its name suggests, Mid-Autumn Festival marks the middle of autumn - the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. The lunar calendar is calculated based on the moon cycle in a year. Although there is no fixed rule, the lunar calendar is generally about one month "behind" the Gregory calendar. The festival day in 2024 will fall on September 17th.
.jpg)
All traditional holidays in East Asian countries are calculated using a lunar calendar. Photo: Thanh Nien
For East Asian countries, it is a major holiday. On this day, people admire the moon, drink tea, and enjoy mooncakes. Children are even more eager to play with lanterns and enjoy the feast.
Vietnam is no exception with many traditional customs and fun activities taking place. Asia King Travel would like to introduce you to the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam through this article so you can enjoy it with the locals best way possible.
Mid-Autumn Festival originated from Chinese culture. Many people know most about the legend of Chang'e and Houyi to talk about this holiday. In ancient times, 10 suns shined together making the land dry and uninhabitable. A skilled archer named Houyi shot down 9 suns, leaving only one until today.
An ancient painting depicts Houyi shooting down the sun. Photo: Mythopedia
To show his gratitude, the Jade Emperor gave him an immortality pill but told him to wait a year before taking it. Houyi took the pill home and asked his wife Chang'e to keep it for him. But seeing the beautiful pill, she couldn't resist and ate it. Immediately, she flew up to the sky and Houyi couldn't stop her.
Chang'e was on the moon, leaving Houyi heartbroken. Moved by their separation, the Jade Emperor allowed the moon to draw closer to Earth once each year so the two could reunite. This legend explains why the moon is fullest on the Mid-Autumn Festival and a day for family members to gather.
In Vietnam, there is a legend of a man named Cuoi who also flew to the moon. Cuoi was a woodcutter. One day, he found a precious medicinal plant that could cure all diseases and even bring the dead back to life. He took the plant home and used it to help those in need without asking in return.
Cuoi used herbal leaves to save the ailing elder. Artist: Quynh Chu
Seeing the precious plant, the bandits came to Cuoi's house and tried to steal it. Cuoi's wife stopped them but was brutally harmed. When Cuoi returned home, his wife had long passed away. He used the leaves of the plant to cover his wife's wounds. His wife came back to life but her memory was not as good as before.
Although he had warned her carefully, one day she urinated on the roots of the precious tree. Because watered with dirty water, the tree flew straight up into the sky. Cuoi wanted to keep the tree, he hugged the roots and flew with it. The tree carried him up to the moon. On every full moon, you can see the image of Cuoi sitting next to the tree.
.jpg)
Vietnamese people see the dark patches on the moon as the image of Cuoi sitting under the tree. Artist: Quynh Chu
Since it is a traditional holiday, the worship ritual on every 15th day of the lunar calendar is indispensable. The offering tray will be more special than other months, with many autumn fruits such as watermelon, grapefruit, orange, persimmon, papaya, and banana. Mooncakes are essential. There are also sweets in addition.
A way to arrange a Mid-Autumn fruit tray. Photo: Traveloka
Besides the worship tray, parents also prepare a feast for children. Fruits are carved into funny shapes: a dog made of grapefruit segments, a watermelon carved into a flower, a dragon fruit shaped like a fish,... Even the mooncakes are transformed into a mother pig and her cute piglets.
A fun and creative feast for kids. Photo: SOHA
Children can invite their siblings and friends to share in the fun. The more, the merrier! Everyone comes together to enjoy a delicious feast once the moon is high in the sky.
There are two popular types of mooncakes: baked and snow-skinned. Baked mooncakes are brown and have a slightly hard crust due to being baked. Snow-skinned are white, made from glutinous rice, so they are sticky and chewy. It can be eaten right away without baking. Both are very sweet so often enjoyed with tea.
Two types of mooncakes, each one has a different meaning. Photo: Doanh nghiep va Tiep thi
Traditionally, the mooncake filling is a mix of Chinese sausage, lotus seeds, lime leaves, candied winter melon, and grapefruit juice. Mung bean, lotus seed, and black sesame are trendy fillings nowadays. Sometimes an additional salted egg yolk was added. Even some use Western ingredients.
Lion dances are often performed during special occasions in the Sinosphere. According to belief, the lions will bring happiness and success. During the festival, colorful lions and the lively sound of drums increase the festive atmosphere on the streets. Both adults and children enjoy watching the lion dancers perform graceful dances.
Sometimes you will see lion dance troupes parading on the streets during festive days. Photo: Dangcongsan
A unique feature of Vietnamese lion dances is a character called "Ong Dia" dancing with the lion. Ong Dia is depicted as a middle-aged man with a big belly, holding a fan. His mask always in a wide grin. The person playing Ong Diaa follows the lion, performing tricks and teasing the audience. His humorous presence enhances the festive and joyful atmosphere of the dance.
As a moon festival, it is impossible to miss the custom of moon watching. The cool autumn breeze and the moon illuminating a corner of the sky make everyone want to sit and admire the moon. While watching the moon, people drink tea and eat cakes. The elderly are excited to recite a few poems. It is a simple yet warm scene.
A time for families to reunite, enjoy mooncakes and watch the moon together. Photo: Kenh14
Vietnamese people see the Mid-Autumn Festival as Children's Day. Besides Tet (Lunar New Year), children eagerly await this day to receive toys from their parents. Masks, star lanterns, and small drums are the most favorite toys. In the past, there were many handmade toys, but now many Chinese toys made them gradually forgotten.
To he is a toy made from rice flour, molded into familiar animals and characters. Photo: Vietnam.vn
According to "former children" about this day just more than 20 years ago, they were given Wukong masks and star lanterns to go out with the village children. The children showed off their toys to each other. One had a to he, another was given a pinwheel, and another even had a lion head. Many boys had a plastic sword, while girls liked musical lanterns.
When the ceremony began, they all followed the lion dance troupe to celebrate around the village. They did trick-or-treat to the neighborhoods. It was a beautiful memory that is difficult to have again today.
Suggested for you: Vietnam Tour 11 days: Northeast Trail & Halong
If you're in Hanoi, Hang Ma Street is a must-visit during Mid-Autumn Festival. A month before the holiday, the street is already colorful with stalls on both sides displaying all kinds of toys. Traditional toys always dominate the quantity, some have a modern touch to suit today's tastes. The richness of handmade products helps preserve and spread the cultural beauty of Vietnamese traditional holidays to international tourists.
Hang Ma Street is in splendid colors at every Mid-Autmn Festival. Photo: Lao dong
As night falls, Hang Ma Street becomes more magical than ever with rows of sparkling lanterns illuminating the entire street. It's a romantic scene that makes everyone want to take pictures to keep the memory. The vibrant scene of Hang Ma Street has become a unique feature of the Old Quarter.
You can ask the residential area manager about organizing a Mid-Autumn feast. Sure they'll be happy to let you participate. You'll learn how to arrange a traditional Vietnamese fruit tray or show your skill in carving beautiful shapes from fruits. The feelings of pride emerge when you see the kids excited about the feast and you will have a great experience in Vietnam.
The smiles on children's faces are the greatest reward for your efforts. Photo: Mam non Hoa Sen
Mooncakes recipe is not too complicated, so you can totally do it yourself. Traditional mooncake ingredients are readily available. For beginners, try making snow-skinned mooncakes first. And you don't need to follow any molds; DIY cute animal shapes will add a unique touch to your product.
.jpg)
With just a few simple steps, you can create an adorable mooncake. Photo: Nguyen Kim
After the mooncakes are finished, you can prepare them as gifts. For Vietnamese people, giving mooncakes during the festival is a meaningful gesture that shows the giver's heart. Mooncakes are not only delicious but also have the meaning of fullness and abundance based on their round shape.
Mid-Autumn Festival has evolved from a time of simple plastic masks to a vibrant cosplay event. Today's youth express their creativity by crafting costumes from paper or buying them on Hang Ma Street. There are no limits to your imagination. It’s like Halloween but without spooky things!
Young people usually choose walking streets as a place to show their cosplays. Photo: Vietnamnet
You're in for a treat if you travel to Vietnam during the Mid-Autumn holidays. The holiday is a unique blend of traditional customs and modern trends. Moreover, it’s super fun. Don’t hesitate, contact Asia King Travel to experience the festive atmosphere in this beautiful country.
Suggested for you: Hoi An Tour 1 day: Lantern-making Class in Hoi An
